Highlights over the last couple of years

Season 2007/2008

Despite relegation of the current Super Division team season 2007/2008, Tesfa will still keep their place in the league next year

Season 2007/2008 has been challenging for the Tesfa seniors and after several tough games the team could not prevent relegation from the super division. Overall, the team has been struggling to keep up the spirit and the loss of many good players is considered one of the most important reasons for the end result. Despite some great achievements, like beating the dominant club Red Sea for the first time in history, the overall performance has been varying a lot and several games were lost through making silly mistakes against newly prompted teams.

Despite the relegation of the senior team, Tesfa will still keep a team in the Super Division next year. This is due to the promotion of their junior team, who ended the season as second in the Division A.

Tesfa won 4-3 against Hintsa – July 2008

On Sunday July 8 Tesfa played their 6th match for the season against Hintsa, another community team. Like Tesfa, Hintsa has had poor start this season with only losses so far.

Both teams were off to a bad start as it was raining for the first 5 minutes. It was Tesfa who hit the net first after 20 minutes, when Nasser headed in a beautiful goal assisted by Ambes. Only minutes after, the Hintsa defense weakned, and Nasser took the advantage and made his second goal for the game. In total this gives him 5 goals for the season in only 6 matches. For the remaining 1st half Hintsa started pushing, but missed two huge chances. After 35 minutes, Hintsa got a free kick, and the score was adjusted to 2-1. Just on the dying minute Futsum just missed a huge chance for Tesfa, when the ball went inches wide of the cross bar. The 1st half ended 2-1.

Early in the 2nd half Tesfa looked stronger and more promising and created two chances by Petros and Michael, which were brilliantly saved by the goalie. Many other chances were also wasted from off sides, an area were Tesfa has to improve in the future. On the 52nd minute of the game Tesfa got a free kick and Ambes scored from a long distance as the goalie made an awful mistake by letting in the ball between his legs. However, the game was not over yet, and after 65 minutes Hintsa got another goal due to a silly defense mistake by Tesfa. Only minutes thereafter Tesfa got their revenge goal by Daniel, who made his 1st goal in 8 years. This goal was extremely important as Hintsa in the 4th minute added at the game got a 3rd consolation goal. However, time was up and the result ended 4-3 to Tesfa.

This result puts Tesfa 3 steps up on the table and is now in the middle of the table by leading the trailing Adulis on goal deference.

In memory of Yonatan – March 2008

Yonatan Okbay passed away after failing to recover from head surgery. He had a car accident on Saturday March the 1st, but after spending 5 days in the Hospital he died on Wednesday evening. His funeral took place on Thursday March 6 at Asmara Martyrs’ cemetery. All higher sport officials, all team players in Asmara and other friends attended the funeral ceremony.

Yonatan was born in 1981 in Asmara city. He completed his high school studies in Semaetat secondary school and joined Tesfa’s 3rd division in 1995. He helped Tesfa to climb to the top division, and was one of the longest serving players in the Tesfa history. In the last two seasons he was the first choice Goal keeper for senior team.

Our thoughts goes to his friends and family!

The following players have entered and left the team for the season:

In:
Temesghen Asefaw  21, Striker ( From Betmoka , full set)
Kibrom  Andemariam 22, Striker ( From Betmoka , full set)
Dawit Embaye 22 Defender ( From E. hamus , undisclosed)
Filmon Haile 22 left back ( From E. hamus , undisclosed)
Tekle Nuguse  27 defender ( From Air force , Released)

Out:
Petros Yohannes (To Asmara birra 10,000 ERNF)
Henok Medhanie (To Asmara birra 10,000 ERNF)
Ghirmay Berhane ( Released)
Jemal Ibrahim( Released)
Daniel Kiflemariam ( Released)
Aron GhirmaTsion ( Released)
Mussie Gtatyos ( Loan to Junior Tesfa)
Nesredin Idris ( Loan to Junior Tesfa)

 

 

Season 2006/2007

Trip to Massawa – April 2007

Early in the morning the bus left Asmara with all the super division team players, coaches and staff on board. Only Trygve was able to participate from Fredskorpset, due to some visa difficulties for Thor-Eivind.

The first stop was Ghinda, a small town located between Asmara and Massawa. Tesfa used to arrange children games in Ghinda, but in 2006 this initiative was stopped by the government. Omar, who used to be in charge of these initiatives, was now responsible for coordinating the visit, and everyone involved in football in Ghinda was happy to see him back again. Omar had arranged a game against the best players from the area around Ghinda. Due to heavy rain the previous day the field was still slippery, but well motivated players do not complain! Around 1000 people had gathered to see the match, and it was an exciting game. Both teams played very well, but Tesfa was the strongest team and won 2-0.

After the game, the bus continued non-stop to Massawa, and for some of the players, this was the first time to see the Red Sea. Tired after the game in Ghinda, all players enjoyed the refreshing swim in the sea. The next day was followed up by more swimming and training on the beach, and this was for sure a good change in environment from the dusty fields in Asmara.

In total the team spent 2 nights in Massawa with a lot of fun, training, dancing, singing and nice food. This is for sure a trip that will not easily be forgotten by the 25 young footballers! Tesfa wants to send their greatest thanks for Fredskorpset for the amazing support and initiative that made this possible!

 

 

Tesfa sets new transfer record in Eritrea – October 2006

Tesfas captain and goalkeeper, Daniel Goitom, has signed with Red Sea for a transfer sum of 30.000 Nakfa, the highest in history. Daniel has been in Tesfa for 8 years and wanted to leave the club to seek new challenges. Daniel has played good for Tesfa, though he didn’t play so much last year because of an injury. It is going to be very hard to fill his shoes for the other goalkeepers. Maybe Senai who is coming from the junior team can be the new wall behind the defence for Tesfa? He has played well for the second team in 3rd division and the coaches say he has a bright future on the field.

Other players leaving and joining the team for the season:

In:
Senai (from Tesfa 2nd team)
Meron (from Tesfa 2nd team)
Aron (from Asmara Bierra)
Ambesager (from Red Sea)

Out:
Daniel Goitom (to Red Sea for 30.000)
Temesghen M. (unknown)
Solomon B (released)
Futsum T. (released)
Semere B (to Adulis, undisclosed)
John G (to Adulis, undisclosed)

 

Season 2005/2006

Tesfa won silver in the Cup final!

After winning 2-0 against Asmara Birra in the Cup final, Tesfa was ready to meet Altaharir in the final. Altaharir won 2-1 against Red Sea in their way to the final, Mr. John reports from Asmara. The game was tough and after full time the score was 2-2. Unfortunately, Tesfa lost on penalties with 4 against 5 goals. However, the team is very happy to achieve a medal in this cup!